World Aviation Training Summit

So after what was some very long travel days I have made it home from the World Aviation Training Summit WATS.

For those that don’t know, WATS (and to that end APATS and EATS) brings together aviation training professionals from all over the world. Its two or three days of presentations workshops and exhibitions of the latest and greatest in aviation training.

What I find as the Moderator for the maintenance stream of APATS (Asia Pacific Aviation Training Summit) is that I’m on the go the whole time, I don’t get a chance to really connect because I’m making sure my speakers are ready to go (or finding a speaker because someone doesn’t show up). So while it was a long way to travel, it was great to just sit in the audience and listen, and contribute, without it being “the Stuart Membrey show”

Its interesting, I remember attending my first APATS in 2019, I was a bit lost with what my role as the “Training Manager” should look like, I certainly didn’t think I was having any impact on the organisation, other than ticking the training box. What I learnt then, and was reminded of on this trip as I reflect, is that

1- Every Training Manager is dealing with the same stuff, no budget, no time, no resources

2- A problem shared is a problem halved, there are real workforce and training issues going on, its not just Asia, but all over, its good to know we are not alone, and

3- We just want to deliver great training, and if we can get a bit of support, because we are so used to making something out of nothing, that support goes a very long way.

The keynote address was delivered by Captain Philip Adrian, Co-Chair of the ATPG (Aircrew Training Policy Group), he mentioned that “we are not as good as we think we are” and that is going to mean different things to different people in the training game, but for me it speaks directly to the continual improvement piece, we have never ‘cracked it’. Our trainers needs to develop and evolve, our curriculum needs to develop and evolve, the delivery needs to develop and evolve…….

He also mentioned, “one size fits all, means one size fits none” its a reminder that, like the development, we have to be flexible in our delivery, and contextualise training to our audience.

The three maintenance moderators, all in the same room for the first time, Myself, Buck Gains (WATS) and Claudio Marturano (EATS)

It was great to connect with Buck and Claudio, and we spent some time essentially working out or discussing some central themes for the three conferences, and moving forward there will certainly be some continuity between the three, to the point where I have significantly changed the scheduled for APATS to include some topics from WATS.

A really interesting session on the first day, about Failure to Follow, Buck led a really informative panel with representation from the FAA, Airlines and MROs, and a manufacturer, followed by some general discussion. I mentioned in a LinkedIn post that I may be a bit disconnected, but this is clearly more prevalent than I thought. Its highlighting issues, particularly in line maintenance around the time to complete a task, yes managers will say “Safety before Schedule” but is that just words? is it really believed and lived, every day?

I cant answer that, and it was/is a to big of an issue to resolve in one afternoon, but what I do think is that the issue is compounded by the training (or in some cases lack thereof) being an American audience, the model has changed for how the airlines hire staff, now straight out of school, and that lack of training is compounding the failure to follow issue.

So we are going to keep the conversation going at APATS.

Getting Business Done

If your following me on LinkedIn, you will know that Aerotrainingx has signed an agreement with AVITMS for the setup and supply of our online learning/training and quality management system.

I have been using various LMS for online training delivery for years, for us AVITMS ticked all the boxes, its going to allow a portal for our MRO partners, a retail/shopfront for online training and the QMS to manage our risk and compliance.

It was great to meet with Carlo @ WATS and get the contract signed.

Signing the Contract with Carlo de Cocq AVITMS Managing Director

I Learnt a Bit

The real reason for me anyway about attending was to get in some good old fashioned professional development, and to be honest, I can learn as much about how someone presents vs what they are actually presenting. A really interesting one this year about how to use storytelling in maintenance training, and of course we have all shared stories, our experience is what makes it relevant, I think Richard’ Scarbrough’s presentation took it to the next level, the examples he shared, were far more interesting the incidents he was describing. a bit of learning going on without realising you were learning

Also got to hear from Jason Stanelle (Boeing). I have known Jason for a few years now, and actually met up with him when I was in Seattle. Honestly, he could easily present on the TED stage, he is a master of the craft, (and still uses que cards, I love that) I think I could listen to Jason present the dictionary. This time was about competency based training programs, and while we have have had it in Australia for years, its interesting to learn how its being implemented without the big Australian Qualifications Framework ‘machine’ around it.

We are getting similar presentations on CBTA at APATS (unfortunately without Jason, but fortunately with Rachel Maree who is also a great presenter) more on that at a later date.

Myself and Jason with the OG 747 in Seattle.

But, you don’t have to agree with everyone, we had presenters and vendors talk about remote learning (via teams or zoom or….) for two, three, four week courses, I just don’t get it. To be fair, some of the setups I saw were first class, but i think for anything longer than perhaps a two day course, you have to be in the classroom. I still haven’t had anyone give me a good answer to “How do you re-capture/re-create the peer to peer or instructor to learner, learning that happens on breaks, or the quick question after class. Its lost and its gone, the only way to get that back is in a classroom,

Ok I feel like I’m about to have a rant and that should be a blog of its own.

Look between the side trip to Seattle and Vancouver, and the flight upgrade so i didn’t feel like a sardine, it was an expensive trip, but between the connections I have made, the learning I got in the conference, the catch ups with friends and colleagues, the meetings that got done face to face instead of on zoom, it was absolute worth it.

I think for anyone thinking about it, you should do it, or send your training guys, yep there is an element of being on a work ‘jolly’ but think about this

1- A bit of investment in your team, shows you value them,

2- They are definitely going to learn something and will come back better trainers/instructors for it.

3- The connections that you make are invaluable, particularly the OEM contacts. I tell people to bring us your questions, your issues, there will be someone in the room who has dealt with it and can help with a solution.

4- You get to play with some really cool toys (VR/AR) and that gives an inspiration or something to strive to and make better learning. or

5- They might be like me (the first time round), a bit lost in the role, not sure if they are making a difference, and will come back fresh, motivated and ready to go.

APATS is coming up in August (26-27)

Or reach out to me for more info.